Last week we gathered — a smaller group than typical and a bit cosier with the undecorated tree in the corner. And we checked in, it had been a bit challenging to remember for 2 whole weeks what the homework was (to Bless (and/or) Praise the Lord!). But after opening in prayer it turns out there was much to check-in with.
Did we bless God? Did we praise God? Was it easier with good news & things happening, or was it easier in the challenges of the day? We asked what exactly does it mean to bless God — including considering, isn’t it God who blesses us & we who praise God? Does our blessing of God actually mean an attempt to bless others out of our gratefulness for God? It was a rich conversation and while some might have forgotten the homework — it did seem that folks had sat with Psalm 103 throughout those weeks and so even if they thought they’d not done the homework, they had sat with the scripture & that scripture had marinated in them (which I’d say is NEVER a bad thing!)
And we made a turn to Proverbs — reading Proverbs 1:1-7
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, King of Israel: For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealings, righteousness, justice, and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young — let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
We heard “fear” make another appearance in this reading (The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge) — and we considered if the book of Proverbs still speaks to us today. One could perhaps argue that these are for Solomon, and not us (but honestly, I doubt how many would hold to such a reading of Proverbs!), however it seems that this book, one of the wisdom books of the Bible might have something rich, meaningful & instructive to offer each of us today in our lives & even as we begin the season of Advent — the time of waiting & looking for Christ (God with us) to be born among us — the time of longing for our Savior to come again!
As we begin a season in Proverbs — our first homework was to create or to find a Proverb that speaks to you — and to come with that Proverb to share with us who gather around the table tomorrow! Looking forward to hear the Proverbs God is guiding each of us to!
Blessings!
~ Rev. Sabrina Slater
2 African proverbs:
“When you pray, move your feet.”
& (mentioned in the sermon last week) “If you want to know the end look at the beginning.”